Updated April 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers with a DUI, license suspension, uninsured accident, or multiple violations typically receive an SR-22 filing requirement from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, lasting 3 years from the reinstatement date. If your SR-22 period is ending or recently ended, you are now eligible to shop standard carriers that would not write you during the filing period—and rates typically drop 30–50% in the first 12 months post-requirement.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
Post-SR22 drivers in South Carolina typically pay $140–$280/mo ($1,680–$3,360/year) in the first 12 months after their SR-22 requirement ends, a 30–50% decrease from peak SR-22 rates. Rates continue dropping as the violation ages: drivers with a single DUI or suspension typically reach near-standard rates within 36 months of the SR-22 end date if no new violations occur. The violation remains visible on your South Carolina driving record for 10 years from the conviction date, but its impact on premiums diminishes significantly after the 3-year SR-22 period ends.
What Affects Your Rate
- Time since SR-22 requirement ended: rates drop 15–25% at 12 months post-filing, 30–50% at 36 months
- Clean driving during and after SR-22 period: zero violations for 12+ months qualifies you for standard carrier consideration
- Type of original violation: DUI typically adds 24–36 months to full rate recovery vs. suspension for points
- Continuous coverage history: maintaining insurance without lapses during SR-22 period reduces post-SR22 premiums by 10–20%
- City and county: Charleston and Greenville post-SR22 rates run 15–30% higher than Spartanburg or Anderson due to claim frequency
- Credit score impact: South Carolina allows credit-based insurance scoring, and post-SR22 drivers with improved credit see faster rate recovery
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Sources
- South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles – SR-22 and Financial Responsibility Requirements
- South Carolina Department of Insurance – Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Standards
- South Carolina Code of Laws Title 56 – Motor Vehicles, Chapter 9 (Financial Responsibility)